Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to speak about the Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre, or the JPC3, led by the Australian police and based in Sydney. The importance of JPC3's mission cannot be overstated. In a world where our lives, savings and businesses are increasingly online, safeguarding Australians from cyberthreats and criminals is more urgent than ever. I recently visited the headquarters of the JPC3 to hear firsthand from the intelligent and passionate men and women in uniform trying to keep Australia safe from cybercriminals.

The JPC3 brings together Australian law enforcement agencies and industry partners under one banner. This unity is our greatest strength. By sharing knowledge, resources and intelligence, JPC3 creates a coordinated front against high-harm cybercrime. Whether it's a coordinated scam target for thousands or a syndicate stealing millions of dollars, this collaborative approach means we can respond faster and more effectively. JPC3 is not just about responding to attacks; it's about preventing them. By pulling intelligence from police, banks, telcos and industry experts, JPC3 can quickly identify patterns, target offenders and disrupt criminal networks before they do irreparable harm. This means getting upstream of cybercriminals and striking where it hurts most.

High-harm cybercrime is not just a technical challenge; it is a deeply personal one. Every day, Australians lose their hard-earned money to banking scams and online shopping frauds. Too often I hear of people losing their life savings to scammers. Most recently, a woman lost over $300,000 of her hard-earned money only to be duped a second time by those who promised to be able to recover the funds. JPC3 works tirelessly to prevent those crimes, protect families and reduce financial loss to the community. Through rapid information sharing and coordinated action, the centre has helped to block fraudulent transactions and recover funds before they disappear offshore.

At the heart of JPC3's work are the hardworking officers at the Australian Federal Police. They're professional and dedicated to protecting the community, often working long hours and tackling complex investigations. Their dedication is matched only by their willingness to collaborate not just with Australian partners but with the best in the world. Cybercrime knows no barriers. To tackle global criminal syndicates, JPC3 and the AFP work hard hand in hand with international partners, and our officers regularly collaborate with agencies like the FBI, the IRS and European law enforcement. Together, we share intelligence, coordinate operations and tackle offenders across the continents. Through their partnerships, we are sending those criminals messages that, no matter where cybercriminals side, we will pursue them.

Cybercrime, as we know, is not static. Criminals are quick to adapt to new technology and change their methods. From phishing emails to sophisticated malware, the tools of cybercrime are constantly evolving, and JPC3 must stay one step ahead, continually learning and adapting to meet these new challenges. One of the greatest challenges we face is the recovery of stolen funds, especially when money is moved overseas. Once funds are sent to foreign accounts, particularly in locations like Nigeria or the UAE, retrieving them becomes extremely difficult. Why? It is because the speed of transaction is so quick. Every minute counts. We need people to report these scams so that we can take steps to help other people.

What was really disturbing about this briefing was the amount of very young people who are being recruited into some very sadistic behaviour online. The criminal acts that they are participating in should be something that worries each and every one of us in this chamber. There are a lot of messages here, and they are to report a scam, and, if you've had an unfortunate attack on your bank, make it known.

Senate adjourned at 20:05